Can someone clarify these VERY IMPORTANT IPL guidelines!

[YankeesRtheBest]

1.) CLARITHROMYCIN FOR ANGIOGENISIS- I've seen some posts that say take it directly after laser traetment for two weeks and stop a week before, I've seen others that say take it a week prior and 2 weeks after, I've also seen start taken it 6 or 7 days after treatment and continue until days 17-21 because that's where angionic signals are strong. Which is the best?
*What is the best dose? Is it to be take every day daily after laser treatment, 250 mg, 500 mg?

2.) I've also seen Dr. Nase post about preventing blood vessel regrowth (angiogenesis) and he has posted that he likes BIAXIN XL 500 mg once daily. So whats best, BIAXIN or CLARITHROMYCIN? And how are they used that same way?

3.) At what treatment should inducing a flush begin? Right away? 2nd, 3rd? I've seen many contadictions concerning the issue of whether inducing a flush to treat the deeper flush vessels counteracts treating the closer, superficial broken blood vessels, telangiectasia, and visible redness. So what is the final deal with this? Should inducing a flush begin right away at 1st treatment and be done every treatment? Or should all visible redness and broken blood vessels be cleared primarily?
*What is currently the best topical flush inducer for most? Niacin? Do you put it on a half hour before treatment?

4.) It is said that aspirin and flaxseed oil should be stopped a week before treatment because they thin the blood. Other supplements may have similar effects and should be stopped. BUT...
*WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE STOPPED "before" an IPL? Should using Zinc Oxide sunscreen. (I use vanicream daily) be stopped before, how long before? Should moisturizers be stopped before? (I use complex 15)
**WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE STOPPED "after" an IPL? Should sunscreens, moisturizers be stopped after? Can I put makeup on after treatment? If not, how long do I have to wait cause it's embarrassing to go without it after using it so long!

5.) Can anyone clarify how to treat the sebacious glands and abnormal oil production, especially in the t-zone with the LUMENIS ONE? Is this even possible w/the lumenis? I want to shrink the sebacious glands with the LUMENIS ONE and prevent/reverse and rhinophyma that I may have with it, is this possible w/the LUMENIS or is that only for the NLITE??
* I have bad cystic acne, how will this be affected by the LUMENIS ONE and YAG 1064, will it make it worse or better? Can it treat cystic acne, or is that only for NLITE?

Thanks so much for your time, it's greatly appreciated.
-Chris Long Island, NY

[teresa]

Chris,

In an earlier post to you, I stated that I just had IPL yesterday with Dr. Darm. I can answer a couple of your questions. Dr. Darm gave me a prescription for Biaxin (Clarithromycin is generic for Biaxin) - 500 mg/day for (2) weeks immediately following the laser treatment. My next treatment is on July 7th, almost (2) weeks after the first. Dr. Darm said it would be ok that I will be on my last day of the Biaxin.

For the first treatment, they induced my worst flush by using Lazercaine on my face and neck for about an hour, then applying topical niacin for about 20 min. I'm not sure, but I think the protocol might change according to what and where your main problems are.

I stopped all aspirin and advil use a week or so prior to treatment. I also take fish oil caps (for high cholesterol), but they said that was OK to continue using. I don't think you would need to stop use of zinc oxide or moisturizers - only topicals like metrogel, finacea, etc. You actually want to put a good sunscreen immediately after, on the treated area. Sun exposure is one of the worst things you can do at this point.

I applied makeup on after they had me apply cortisone creme (for sweling and redness). It should be something that is OK'd for post-laser or post-surgical use. I believe many of the mineral makeups are good, as well as Lycogel, which I use. Most, if not all, have at least a SPF of 20 or greater, which is good if not applying a separate sunscreen.

I can't answer your other q's. I am curious about those as well.

Hope that helps,
Teresa